With the glut of television series and films bandied about during this month’s Television Critics Association Tour, it’s hard not to look at new projects with an over critical eye. Salem, however, is definitely on my radar thanks to its intriguing trailer and the talented roster behind the project (Janet Montgomery and Shane West headline the show). The 17th century set series is WGN America’s first original drama, so as far as expectations go, co-creators Brannon Braga and Adam Simon are definitely shouldering a huge load.
From Sunday’s TCA panels, Braga gave the show a pretty sexy pitch (if you love the idea of mixing up your genres). “This show, in its most reductive state, is Wuthering Heights meets The Exorcist,” said Braga about the project, which is shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Janet Montgomery, whose previous credits include Dancing on the Edge and the short-lived series Made in Jersey, talks about one of the huge challenges that grips her character, a powerful Salem resident named Mary Sibley. “For me, it was playing the loss of innocence that sort of plagues Mary and she’s sort of made a choice,” said Montgomery, who also starred in the Fox show Human Target. “She’s pleased with her choice until she’s confronted with her past. I think you can really relate to that, when you look at yourself ten years ago (at) who you were. Maybe you were naive, but you miss that innocence and what you didn’t know. Now (Mary) has had to grow up and be the person she is to survive.”
To hear Janet Montgomery talk about playing Mary Sibley, click on the Soundcloud bar below:
Salem premieres April 20.
